Milwaukee County Judge Michael Sullivan ruled in May 2002 that Excel couldn’t be sued for supplying the beef to Sizzler restaurants in Milwaukee and Wauwatosa. Excel’s attorneys had argued the company wasn’t liable because it didn’t mishandle the meat and complied with U.S. Department of Agriculture inspections before shipping.

But a state appeals court overturned that ruling a year later, saying even though federal authorities inspected the meat, the processor still had to make sure it was safe. The court reinstated 14 lawsuits against Excel. Excel appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court, but the court refused to hear the appeal, clearing the way for the lawsuits.

“It is time for the company to take responsibility for its actions and compensate victims of its negligence,” said William Marler, managing partner of law firm Marler Clark, which is representing the children.

Subscribe to Marler Blog

Your website url

About Bill Marler

Bill Marler is an accomplished personal injury and products liability attorney. He began litigating foodborne illness cases in 1993, when he represented Brianne Kiner, the most seriously injured survivor of the Jack in the Box E. coli O157:H7 outbreak.